Officials announced the arrest of a Kings Park man for the cultivation of nearly 100 marijuana plants in a secluded water recharge basin located in

COMMACK - Officials announced the arrest of a Kings Park man for the cultivation of nearly 100 marijuana plants in a secluded water recharge basin located in Commack.

Police say Mark Kern, 54, has been charged with criminal possession of marijuana, criminal trespass and resisting arrest. According to police, the plants were seized near Motor Parkway and Red Leaf Lane.

The four-month probe, deemed “Operation Green Thumb,” started after two Smithtown highway workers located the plants in May. Shortly after, authorities began actively surveying the location.